USDA Crop Progress: Cotton Planting Momentum Continues

One week ago, 2023 cotton planting jumped 13 percentage points. This week’s (ending May 21), USDA’s Crop Progress report shows that 45% of the U.S. cotton crop is in the ground – another 10-point jump, but still slightly behind the 5-year average for the date.

In all, planting progress in nine states is currently equal to or above their respective 5-year averages. The biggest percentage point increases for the week came from South Carolina (up 28 points), Arkansas (up 23 points), and Mississippi and Tennessee (both up 20 points).